Just wondering if other States have instituted the same law?
In New Jersey, before a termite inspector can do a treament on a home, he must call the local utility companies to markout the property for utility lines which means the treament can't be done for 7-10 days.
Have other States instituted this yet?

No - in our area (San Diego) we have to have the utility company out to turn off the gas, then turn it back on. That's because a couple of houses blew up... what is the purpose in marking the utility lines?

I've been thinking about that requirement for about 15 minutes now, and for the life of me I can't come up with a logical reason why marking the utility lines might be important for termite treatment.

The only thing I can think of is that one doesn't want the treatment professionals to hang themselves on any overhead wires when they're up on the roof. But if they can't see those overhead wires, perhaps they should be in a different business anyway, and any additional marketing probably won't help.

I look forward to the answer.

I can think of a good reason. Proper termite treatment in our area requires drilling into the ground. I can see where this might create some problems with underground electric, gas, or water lines. As far as I know, we don't have this law yet, but it might be a good idea. Different areas have different treatment methods; some areas use the "tenting" method. I am not a termite expert, but I have seen the drilling and/or trenching done in my area.

With all the subterranean termites we have here in San Diego, I wonder why the pest control companies here don't drill.

I've only had termite work done in Texas, Louisiana, and California, and it was always by tenting, so I'm not familiar with drilling. That, however, would be a very, very good reason to mark any underground utility lines.

Thanks, ky realtor.

In NJ to do a termite treatment correctly pest control companies must drill around the house every couple of feet and inject whatever they inject into the ground. I think someone blew up a house one day when they hit a gas line so they are now requiring it.

It's not a requirement in Ohio however termite treaters are required to locate all underground utilities to the best of their ability prior to treatment. Water lines that run through slab foundations are a big concern. Utility lines running close to the exterior foundation could be damaged when ground rodding. Accidents happen though, no matter how careful.

This was a good move by NJ. Requiring this will save lives and property. Drilling blindly into the soil and through sidewalks, driveways is dangerous and yes they did blow up a house in NJ.

Not all states have that as a law, as a matter of fact, most don't. I own a pest control company separate from my home inspection company and belong to the PA One Call system which has the utility companies go out and mark the lines. Not shut them down but mark them. I require this be used before every termite treatment.